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Original poster

Parents Evening Bookings

36 replies

AlexanderHamilton · 26/01/2018 18:51

At ds's previous school we just turned up & queued to see his teachers.

At his new school it's online booking 5 min slots. What I'm not sure of is what gap to leave in between. Do I leave a 5 min gap so for example have 5pm 5.10pm etc or should I play it safe & leave 10 mins between appointments.

The latter means I will be there from 4.30 - 7pm.

OP posts:
Original poster
AlexanderHamilton · 26/01/2018 20:51

I'm glad Ds doesn't have to book them as he never writes anything in his planner & he would conveniently forget.

OP posts:
LoniceraJaponica · 26/01/2018 20:51

DD's school has an extremely efficient online booking system. All the teachers are at tables in the main hall and dining area, so no traipsing round the school. We get 5 minutes allocated per teacher, and I allow an extra 5 minutes between slots. As DD is now doing 3 A levels I only need to see 3 teachers, so parents evening is half an hour at most for me.

TeenTimesTwo · 26/01/2018 20:40

At our school the pupils book them in their planners and they recommend a 5 minute gap which generally I've found to be adequate.
If you get behind you either miss out a subject and try to go back at the end, or just see everyone a bit late. This works fine as other parents are running late too.

Astronotus · 26/01/2018 20:06

The booking system at my DC's school's parent evening was chaos every time. We never got to see all the teachers. As your DS is SEN email the school and ask that if you are unable to see all teachers on the evening you can go in and see them at another time. Explain your DH is a teacher, they may be sympathetic.

pointythings · 26/01/2018 20:06

Ours are 10 minute slots and I leave 10 minutes between meetings. It's always worked well except for English - for some reason that always descends into chaos. I blame the parents. SmileGrin

Original poster
AlexanderHamilton · 26/01/2018 19:50

Ive made his problem subject (English predicted a 2) the very last appointment as dh (who is a teacher) will struggle to get home from his school in another city for Neil then. I've put maths (predicted 8) earlier on.

OP posts:
Original poster
AlexanderHamilton · 26/01/2018 19:48

I reckon I need to see every teacher - he's Year 9 & SEN.

OP posts:
xyzandabc · 26/01/2018 19:35

Ours are spread around 3 different blocks of classrooms. 5 mins appointments, the same as you, if you try and book back to back, the system brings up a warning, but does allow you to book.

Most people make an appointment every 10 minutes but invariably appointments do end up running late and teachers will see someone if they are there, rather than wait for someone who is not there iyswim.

Do you really need to see every teacher? Depending on the year group or your child's interest in the subject.

cantkeepawayforever · 26/01/2018 19:26

It depends on whether the evening is all in one room - e.g the school hall - or spread out around the school.

If all in the school hall, i would say that 5 minute gaps - or even back to back if you know some appointments may well be short / generic - should be fine.

DC's school has this system, though the children make the appointments in their lessons. DS has always booked his appointments back to back and we run like demented rats around the maze of tables and chairs in the hall. DD allows 5 minute gaps between most, and a 10 minute 'catch your breath' gap in the middle.

I would also say prioritise who you really want to see, and place those with gaps either side. If you have a few subjects you aren't all that fussed about, you can always book those back to back, and if you don't make one of them because you're over-running elsewhere, it's not too bad.

CraftyGin · 26/01/2018 19:19

I’d just do them back to back.

dementedpixie · 26/01/2018 19:16

In my experience a 5 minute gap will not be nearly enough especially if you have to go to different floors of the building.

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